Contaminant
Contaminant
Contaminant (/kənˈtæmɪnənt/) is a term used in the field of medicine and public health to describe any foreign substance that is not intended to be present in a specific environment or material. It can be a chemical, physical, or biological entity that has the potential to cause harm or adverse effects.
Etymology
The term "contaminant" is derived from the Latin word contaminare, which means "to make impure". It was first used in English in the 15th century.
Related Terms
- Pollutant: A contaminant that has been introduced into the environment and has the potential to cause harm.
- Toxin: A harmful substance produced by living organisms, often used interchangeably with contaminant in certain contexts.
- Pathogen: A biological contaminant, such as a virus or bacteria, that can cause disease.
- Impurity: A substance that is present in another substance where it is not wanted or is undesirable.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Contaminant
- Wikipedia's article - Contaminant
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